Quiz: What Makes You A Good Friend?

What kind of BFF are you?

Are you a good friend? I bet you are. Everyone who comments on this blog is so kind, self-aware, and interesting that I’m sure you’re all awesome friends in real life 🙂 Good friendship is something I’m appreciating as I get older, and I’ve spent a lot of time thinking about what makes a good friend. I think we’ve all had to decide what friendships to nurture and what friendships to let go over the years, and it helps to be clear on what qualities we’re looking for in our very best friends.

When I was younger, I was looking for friends who were a lot of fun. I loved people who lived dramatic and crazy lives, even if that brought a lot of drama into the friendships. And while the drama queens of the world are still entertaining in small doses, I find that I’m looking for a little more stability these days. I appreciate the company of compassionate, accepting, and open people. But I don’t want someone who doesn’t have any edge! Some of my best friends are snarky and hilarious, but they also know when to lend an ear and just listen.

Thinking about the good friends I have and the people I’d like to get closer to led me to write: What Makes You a Good Friend? I know that everyone can’t be an ideal friend to everyone else, but I think we’re all capable of being good friends of one sort or another. Maybe you’re not in the right frame of mind to be universally supportive of a friend, but maybe you can give her the honesty she needs right now. And maybe you’re not the most fun friend when you have a lot going on in your life, but at least you’re loyal.

Anyway, please take What Makes You a Good Friend? and let me know what you get. Do you agree with your result? What kind of friend are you looking for these days?

You Are a Good Friend Because You’re Honest
Like it or not, your friends are going to hear the truth from you.
You know that the truth hurts, but living a life of lies is much worse.

So while you’re definitely kind and supportive, you don’t pull any punches with your friends.
Everyone knows where they stand with you. And what you like and dislike about them.

While some may be initially turned off by your honesty, your friends have come to consider it a virtue.
After all, in world of white lies and deceptive politeness, you can be counted on for honesty and integrity.

Your friends need you most when: They need good advice or an intelligent opinion

Like it or not, your friends are going to hear the truth from you.
You know that the truth hurts, but living a life of lies is much worse.

So while you’re definitely kind and supportive, you don’t pull any punches with your friends.
Everyone knows where they stand with you. And what you like and dislike about them.

While some may be initially turned off by your honesty, your friends have come to consider it a virtue.
After all, in world of white lies and deceptive politeness, you can be counted on for honesty and integrity.

Your friends need you most when: They need good advice or an intelligent opinion

You really can’t be friends with: Needy, emotional people

Your friendship quote: “True friendship can afford true knowledge. It does not depend on darkness and ignorance.”

You are almost like a life coach for your best friends.
You give them help when they need it… but you also know when to give them a push.

People tend to rely on you for moral support and advice.
You’ve probably always been mature for your age, so this is a role that’s you’re comfortable with.

A friend like you is one of the rarest kinds.
You are both a good mentor and companion.

Your friends need you most when: They are confused or worried

You really can’t be friends with: Someone who only wants to complain

Your friendship quote: “The only way to have a friend is to be one.”

Comment: 100% accurate – among six results, you tracked me down completely, Blogthings. My hat’s off. I have quite a lot of demands when it comes to friends, but the first thing that springs to mind is that they need to appreciate and accept my overall intensity. I’ve lost some possible friends because of this in the past – people get tired and see me as quite demanding, which I can understand at times. Sometimes I’m willing to adjust myself a bit, but not to play a false role…

I agree that it’s important to be yourself (even if you’re a bit intense!), and not everyone does well as friends together. I, too, prefer quality over quantity. I take friendship rather seriously, and while I’m willing to be friendly with anyone, I have expectations for friendship (support, openness, availability) 🙂